In the recent market survey on mobile phone data service conducted
by the Consumer Council, 28 SIM-only 3G voice and data monthly
service plans provided by 6 local service providers were compared.
Their monthly fee ranged from HK$57 to HK$589 and data usage limit
ranged from 10MB to unlimited.

All "unlimited" data usage is subject to the service provider's
fair usage policy, and all the service providers set their fair
usage at 5 GB per month.

Since the "Guidelines for the Implementation of Fair Usage Policy
for the Provision of Mobile and Fixed Broadband Services" issued by
the Communications Authority comes into operation in mid-February,
among the 5 service providers that used to offer "unlimited" mobile
data plans, one has discontinued such plan, and the other 4
stipulate the fair usage for such plans, under their fair usage
policies, at 5GB per month.

All 4 service providers which continue to offer "unlimited" mobile
data plans responded that alerts would be sent to users when their
usage was approaching the fair usage volume.

For users that subscribe to limited data service plans, all 6
service providers provided channels for subscribers to check their
data usage, but only 3 service providers would send out alert to
these subscribers when their usage was about to approach the
limit. Other limited plans subscribers are advised to find out if
their service providers have set caps on maximum charges.

The Council advised consumers to take note of the followings before
and after signing up data service plans for mobile phones to avoid
unexpected expenses.

Before signing up:

- Make estimation of average monthly usage by checking the usage
records in the last 3 to 6 months or by using the Data Usage
Calculator provided by the Communications Authority. Look for
plans that suit the usage estimation.
- Make sure to understand the details and fee structure fully
before signing up the service plans.

After signing up:

- Do not leave the data network of the phone connected when data
service is not required.
- Make good use of free Wi-Fi connections, but do not transmit
personal information via free Wi-Fi hotspots due to security
concerns.

CHOICE magazine is now also
available online (http://choice.yp.com.hk) and via fixed-line and
mobile services of PCCW.

Membrs from the media who are
invited by this Council to the Press Conference may quote the
content of this Press Statement.

The Consumer Council reserves
all its right (including copyright) in respect of CHOICE magazine
and Onlin CHOICE ( http://choice.yp.com.hk ).